4-H clubs give Orient nativity new life

You might not have noticed while driving by at highway speed, but the nativity scene at Orient United Methodist Church had seen better days a few years ago, and Pastor John Van Nostrand wondered how many more seasons it would hold up.

After last Christmas, Van Nostrand reached out to members of the Orient Bulldogs and Richland Royals 4-H clubs. Both groups hold their meetings at the church, and Van Nostrand remembered how much his own daughter enjoyed her time in 4-H and the benefits the program provides.

The clubs were happy to take on the project, which ended with the church receiving a brand-new, handmade display.

Members of the Richland Royals picked up the original nativity, re-cut each figure from wood, and carefully sanded and primed all 17 pieces. Once completed, the 4-Hers delivered the pieces back to the church, where the Orient Bulldogs painted each one with fresh, vibrant colors that are easy to see from the road. Members of both clubs gave generously of their time to bring the nativity scene back to life in time for the Christmas season.

Brothers Davin and Dylan Wallace, members of the Richland Royals, said they were eager to work on the project because the original nativity was in need of significant repair. Matt Rohrig, a leader of the Orient Bulldogs, believes the first nativity scene dated to the mid-1990s.

“The nativity pieces weren’t in great shape,” Dylan Wallace said. “The paint on all of the pieces was faded, and the plywood was soft and weathered due to years of cold and snow.”

After the new pieces were cut, Davin Wallace said one of the most challenging parts for the Richland Royals was priming them.

“With our younger club members, we partnered older members with them to teach them how to properly apply paint to wood,” he said.

The Orient Bulldogs took a similar approach. Older members who serve as club officers sketched faces on each piece ahead of time, then invited younger members to paint.

“The older members and parents worked alongside them, offering guidance and assistance throughout the project,” Orient Bulldogs President Taylor Rohrig said. “It was really meaningful to see all ages working together, and I’m proud of how our club came together to restore something that will be used and appreciated by our community for many years to come.”

Van Nostrand, who has served at the church since July 2023, said he appreciated the clubs’ enthusiasm and willingness to help.

“We enjoy having both clubs hold their regular meetings in our church,” Van Nostrand said. “It was a little odd seeing Mary and Joseph being painted in 80-degree weather as the clubs worked on it since spring. We appreciate the clubs even more now, as they’ve become an even bigger part of our church by giving us a new nativity scene. This will be remembered for many, many years to come.”

Leaders of the Orient Bulldogs are Matt and Heidi Rohrig and Terri Raasch. Leaders of the Richland Royals are Doug and Julie Wallace.